Scott
Denton always thinks of Penny Herrington as his best friend, a co-worker in the
Forest Ridge Fire Department. She tricks him into helping her with the
decorations for the Sweetheart Banquet. During their discussion about love and
romance, Scott starts to notice Penny as a desirable woman.

When
Penny hurts her ankle, Scott feels responsible and decides to move in with her.
Spending time together, they share intimate discussions about love and
marriage. Penny, a widow, feels guilty when her relationship with Scott becomes
romantic. Devastated after a nasty divorce, Scott no longer believes in love
and vows he’ll never remarry. He denies his feelings for Penny until he
realizes only she can comfort him after he assist the fire department at a
tragic car accident.

Rekindled
Love

When
Forest Ridge, Oregon is terrorized by an arsonist, Fire Chief Mitch Chambers
vows to do whatever it takes to protect the community--even work with the woman
who left him four years ago. Professional sketch artist Abby Denton, still
loves Mitch and hopes to regain his trust and respect by working with him.
However, she fears when he discovers the truth about their daughter, he will
never forgive her. As they work together, Mitch once again falls in love with
Abby, but this time he refuses to let her walk out of his life. Can they
rekindle the love that burned between them and uncover the identity of the
arsonist before he turns their dreams and the town to ashes?

EverlastingLove

When
Miranda Cummins borrows a friend’s cabin to finish writing her long overdue
book, she’s surprised to find the one-room retreat already occupied by Kevin
Mathews. Though she feels a spontaneous attraction for Kevin, Miranda has
recently escaped a controlling husband and isn’t ready for a long-term
relationship.

Unsatisfied
with his occupation, Kevin is at a crossroads. Miranda understands and
encourages him to look at the direction his life is going. Fired up by her
encouragement, Kevin returns to Forest Ridge to resume his firefighting career.

When
Miranda is threatened by her ex-husband, Kevin realizes he will do anything to
protect her. Miranda has shown Kevin a new passion for life. Can he fan the
flames of passion into an Everlasting Love?

EXCERPT

The pager on her waistband
sounded a moment before Penny heard the city's alarm sound. Her sense of duty
and the need to help others pulled her back into the station to answer the
call. "One vehicle off the road-milepost two on Oak Knoll Road."
Penny read her pager out loud.

Once she put on her turnouts,
she jumped into the engine. That's why she was there. After years of working at
the bank, she'd gone back to school and became a paramedic. She wanted to help
others and make a difference. Joining the fire department was the best way to
honor Jim's memory.

Scott got into the officer's
seat in front of her. She wondered if she should get out. Catching her
reflection in the window, she straightened her turnout and renewed her
fortitude. They'd shared a few kisses. Nothing more. The passion his kiss
ignited was best forgotten. If he was uncomfortable with the situation, he
could get into the other vehicle.

She ignored the usual
chatter in the engine cab as other firefighters joined them and they drove to
the accident. A pickup truck rolled over in the ditch with one occupant was all
she'd heard. She drew a deep breath trying to still her clamoring nerves. Until
now, she'd ignored her growing awareness of Scott. For some reason tonight her
defenses were lowered and she could no longer disregard her desire for him.

Once they stopped at the
scene, Scott asked. "Penny, do you feel comfortable directing traffic?"

Without looking at him, she
replied, "Yes." Then she grabbed a flashlight, fluorescent vest and
stop sign from the side compartment and hurried to the back of the engine. Red
lights flashed around her. She directed the rescue unit and ambulance to the
accident a few yards up the road.

Guiding drivers wasn't her
favorite job in the department, but traffic was light for the middle of the
night. She couldn't believe how much time they'd spent in the storage room.

"How are you doing?"
he asked a few minutes later.

Penny jumped at the sound of
his voice beside her. "You startled me, I didn't hear you." She hadn't
been able to get Scott off her mind since they left the station. Now she
hesitated to look at him.

"I wanted a chance to
talk to you alone." His voice held a serious tone; an
I-want-to-clarify-any-misunderstanding-tone.

Red lights from the rescue
unit continued their rhythmic flash around them. The colored illumination added
a surreal appearance to the worry lines that marked Scott's face. He too
appeared shaken by something. In the darkness she couldn't fully read his
expression. With his brows lowered, he had a stern look of finality over his
features. She guessed their kissing surprised him as much as it did her. Afraid
she was losing her best friend, she breathed in deep. She knew and dreaded the
subject he wanted to discuss with her.

"I'm sorry about
earlier. I…"

"I understand it won't
happen again," she said hurriedly. If only she could turn back the clock.